Afghanistan Squad Analysis
BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Afghanistan Test Squad Analysis
The upcoming Afghanistan tour of Bangladesh 2023 Series will feature a single Test match between the Bangladesh and Afghanistan cricket teams. The match is scheduled to take place from Wednesday, June 14, 2023, to Sunday, June 18, 2023. The venue for the match is the Sher-E-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, and it is set to start at 10:00 AM local time. Cricket enthusiasts can look forward to witnessing the clash between BAN and AFG in this exciting Test match.
Afghanistan Test Squad Against Bangladesh
Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Nijat Masood, Yamin Ahmadzai, Ibrahim Abdulrahimzai, Izharullah Haq Naveed, Hamza Kotak, Zahir Khan Pakteen, Rahmat Shah, Nasir Jamal, Abdul Malik, Ibrahim Zadran, Karim Janat, Ikram Alikhel, Afsar Zazai and Baheer Shah Mahboob.
Afghanistan Test Squad Analysis for BAn vs AFG Series 2023
Rashid Khan, the renowned leg-spinner, will be absent from the upcoming match. Unfortunately, he sustained an injury that prevented his participation in the recently concluded ODI series against Sri Lanka. It appears that he is still recovering and not yet fully fit. Additionally, another notable player missing from the lineup is Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
In addition to Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, who did not participate in the third ODI against Sri Lanka, has been omitted from Afghanistan's squad due to a groin injury.
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Hashmatullah Shahidi has been appointed as the captain of the Afghanistan cricket team for the Test match. However, notable players such as Naveen Ul Haq and Mohammed Nabi have not been included in the squad. Additionally, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the wicketkeeper for KKR, and Naveen Ul Haq, the bowler from the Lucknow Super Giants, have also not been considered for selection.
In addition, Afghanistan has announced four players as standby for the upcoming test match. These players are Noor Ali, Zia Akbar, Azmat Omarzai, and Sayed Shirzad. They have been designated as reserves and will be ready to step in if needed during the match.
The 15-man squad of Afghanistan has been strengthened with the inclusion of fast bowling duo Ibrahim Abdulrahimzai and Nijat Masoud, along with the young leg-spinner Izharulhaq Naweed. These talented players have earned their spots in the squad and will contribute their skills to the team’s efforts.
Additionally, Karim Janat, who showcased a remarkable all-round performance in the Ahmad Shah Abdali First Class Tournament, has received his maiden call-up to the national team. The team management has recognized his talent and potential, providing him with an opportunity to shine at the highest level.
Read more: BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Fixtures, Schedules, Teams, Head-to-Head Records
Key Players of Afghanistan Squad in the 2023 BAN vs AFG Test
Rahmat Shah
Rahmat Shah has appeared in Afghanistan’s all 6 test matches. And in those matches, he has showcased commendable performance with impressive statistics. In his 12 innings across 6 matches, he has accumulated a total of 385 runs. His highest score of 102 demonstrates his ability to excel under pressure. With an average of 32.08, Rahmat has displayed consistency on the crease.
Notably, he has also registered a well-deserved century, further setting his batting prowess in the longest format of the game. Rahmat Shah’s contributions have been vital to Afghanistan’s Test team, making him a valuable asset on the field.
Ibrahim Zadran
Ibrahim Zadran, representing Afghanistan in Test cricket, has been truly outstanding. Over the course of four matches and eight innings, he has scored a total of 356 runs. His exceptional performance is highlighted by his highest score of 87, where he demonstrated his ability to dominate the opposing team’s bowling attack.
With an impressive average of 44.5, Ibrahim consistently showcases his strong batting presence whenever he takes to the pitch. His contributions with the bat have played a vital role in Afghanistan’s success in Test matches. Given Ibrahim Zadran’s talent and unwavering consistency, he is undeniably a crucial asset for the upcoming test match against Bangladesh.
Read more: Litton to Lead Bangladesh in Afghanistan Test
Amir Hamza Hotak
Hamza Hotak, a skilled left-arm spinner, earned his place in the Afghanistan Under-19 squad for the 2010 World Cup held in New Zealand. He has played only three test matches for his country. In his 3 matches and 6 innings, he has taken 16 wickets.
His best bowling innings of 6/75 demonstrate his ability to dismantle opposition batting line-ups. His skills as a bowler have contributed significantly to Afghanistan’s quick success in the Test format. Amir Hamza’s impressive performances make him a key player in Afghanistan’s bowling attack in Test matches.
Yamin Ahmadzai
Yamin has played 5 test matches so far. While his overall test bowling performance for Afghans is quite satisfactory, his performance against Bangladesh was poor. He only took one wicket in the 2019 test match against Bangladesh. Overall, he took 11 wickets in five appearances. So, he will surely try to improve his bowling figure and give his best against Bangladesh, which he failed in his previous appearance.
Final Words
This upcoming Test match between Afghanistan and Bangladesh marks their second encounter in the longest format of the game. The two teams previously faced each other in 2019 in a one-off Test match, where Afghanistan emerged triumphant. They secured an unambiguous victory with a massive margin of 224 runs, and Rashid Khan played a pivotal role by claiming 11 wickets in the match. So, in the 2023 BAN vs AFG test match, the Afghans will surely try to repeat their performance. On the other hand, the Bangladesh team has improved a lot, and they will certainly fight back.
Read more: BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Bangladesh Test Squad Analysis
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